Wes Agar’s sensational rookie season continues to blossom against Western Australia
South Australian bowling coach Luke Butterworth is presiding over his best attack in his three-year stint with the Redbacks and Wes Agar continues to excel.
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As Wes Agar’s stunning rookie season continues, South Australian bowling coach Luke Butterworth is presiding over his best attack since arriving at Adelaide Oval three years ago.
The emergence of speedster Agar backed by the return to fitness of prolific swingmen Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall meant former Test seamer Joe Mennie was overlooked for the Redbacks Sheffield Shield against Western Australia clash in Adelaide.
Agar, in his debut first-class campaign, is joint second along with Michael Neser and Redbacks teammate Sayers on the Shield wicket tally with 26 behind Jackson Bird on 28.
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“He has been outstanding and brought something different to our attack with Daniel Worrall injured for the first half of the year,” said Butterworth of Agar.
“His extra air speed and bounce has been a breath of fresh air for the team. He is hitting the gloves hard consistently.
“We make sure he is clear on his role, don’t complicate it, his control is a real strength.”
Strapping Agar, 23, followed last week’s Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year gong with 3/60 including top scorer Shaun Marsh (63) in WA’s first innings 254.
“That was great reward for a great year,” said Butterworth, with slimmed down Agar touching speeds of 140km/h.
Former Australian one-day paceman Worrall had been stuck on 149 Shield wickets since breaking down with a hamstring strain in Perth last March. A back stress fracture in May sabotaged part-time musician Worrall’s Gloucestershire stint and Ashes dream.
Matthew Kelly edged to keeper Harry Nielsen for Worrall’s 150th Shield wicket.
“I am sure it has been really emotionally hard for Frank, but he has worked hard in the gym. The way he bowled on Sunday was the Daniel Worrall we know and love having in our team,” said Butterworth.
“We will be cautious in his first few games back but the good thing is we have Joe Mennie sitting on the sidelines. It is a position we haven’t been in since I have been here for three years.”
Left-armer Nick Winter and Sayers – who pocketed his 300th first-class scalp on Saturday – keep getting the job done and have tied down WA batsmen this game.
The Warriors lost 6-89 on the third day in a first innings riposte that never got in gear. The Redbacks gave the visitors little lee-way but their inertia at the crease – 254 in 130.4 overs – surprised given the need for a result.
The fourth ranked Redbacks (5-179) chased quick runs to set a final day target for WA with Jake Weatherald and skipper Travis Head (49) missing half centuries. Matt Kelly (3/34) was the pick of third placed WA’s attack. Will Bosisto (24) and Harry Nielsen (11) resume with SA leading by 314 runs.
“Chaddy just keeps ticking along, we have some good variety in the attack. Chadd and Wints just probe on that length and line. It is a well balanced attack at the moment,” said Butterworth, man-of-the-match in Tasmania’s 2006-07 breakthrough Shield final win.
Seamer Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa are in South Africa on Australian one-day duty, underlining Butterworth’s faith in the Redbacks depth after two tough seasons.
“It feels like we are building for some consistent form at the moment,” said Butterworth.